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PEARLS FROM ASIA 105
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weather, the longest period in over half a century.1 The boats employed numbered 318, with 4991 divers and 4894 attendant manduks. The
yield of oysters exceeded all records, amounting to 81,580,716 in
number, or nearly twice as many as in any previous year within the
period of British occupation. The prices at which these sold ranged
from Rs.24 to Rs.124 per thousand, with an average of Rs.48.89 for the
entire season. The government received Rs.2,510,727 as its share of the
revenue, which was twice as much as in any previous year since the
British have been in control, and doubtless the largest received by any
government in the history of the industry. The oysters falling to the
share of the divers must have sold for at least Rs. 1,255,363 (since
1881 the divers have received one third of the catch as their
compensation, instead of one fourth). The profits of the merchants,
who purchased and opened the government oysters as well as those of the
divers, doubtless amounted to fully as much, making a total of
Rs.5,021,453, or nearly $2,000,000 as a low estimate of the local value
of the pearls secured at Ceylon in 1905.
Owing
to the great success in 1905, an enormous number of persons flocked to
the camp at the beginning of the season in 1906. Employment was given
to 473 boats, the largest number on record, and over 8600 divers were
engaged, with an equal number of attendants. Owing to unfavorable
weather and the great quantity of oysters removed in 1905, the catch
in 1906 was less than in that record year, amounting to 67,150,641 in
number, from the sale of which Rs.1,376,-746 was realized. The prices
covered a wide range. For the large Cheval oysters, even Rs.276,
Rs.291, and Rs.309 per 1000 were received. The inferior, stunted
oysters from the Muttuvaratu paar ranged from Rs.20 to Rs.41 per 1000,
and even at these prices many buyers sustained losses. On the other
hand considerable money was made by the buyers of those from Cheval, in
which some very large and beautiful pearls were found.
The
results of the 1907 fishery were surprisingly good, excellent prices
being obtained. The proceeds from the sale of two thirds of the
21,000,000 oysters amounted to Rs. 1,040,000, or just under $350,-000.
The fishery lasted thirty-six working days. Only 173 boats were used,
as it was considered that a fleet of this size is fully as large as can
be employed advantageously to the greatest satisfaction of all
interested.
According
to the compilations of the colonial secretary's office, the gross
revenue to the government from 1796 to 1907, inclusive,
1
In 1881, the number of days was the same days, in 1904 there were 33,
in 1903 there —47, the season extending from March 4 to were 36, and in
1906 there were 36 days of April 27. In 1891 there were 40 working
actual fishing.
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